aixa

Well that is where the confusion is. I dont know if I should do it based on the admitting diagnosis ( ARf and the hyperkalemia) or on his current status. Like I said his K+ levels were WNL, no IV drips infusing, nor any cardiac monitoring, VS wnl. Only his creatine and BUN were still elevated suggesting the renal impairment was not fully resolved. So i thought I would do "Risk for" diagnosis'.based on his admitting diagnosis if possible. However the only current abnormalities are the BUN and creatinine and for that I could only think of "Ineffective tissue perfusion". In response to the dehydration , no h/o UTI but he had been hospitalized 6mos ago for dehydration and he reported not drinking enough fluids very matter of a factly. Patient is rather active, lives alone (wife died 3 mths ago) I'm sorry to hear abot daytonite.

I am having trouble figuring out what nursing diagnosis to use for a 77y/o patient who was admitted for dehydration, ARF and hyperkalemia, however when I met him the K+ was WNL and voiding freely. He went in for weakness and inability to walk. During the time I was there he was scheduled for TEE therfore was NPO. No IV fluids (though IV bicarb was ordered) which I know is to treat the increased K+ levels (though resolved). The only abnormal labs were increased BUN(48) and creatinine(1.74) which I understand can be caused from dehydration however like I said he had not been getting fluids and was stable. I was leaning towards diag #1 Ineffective renal perfusion r/t hypovolemia aeb increased creatinine and BUN and diag#2 Risk for decreased cardiac output r/t possible dysrhythmia secondary to increased K+ levels aeb compromised regulatory mechanism. (Is that way too Long diagnosis). Help me Daytonite!!!!